Branksome Graceline - 7¾" (196 mm) high.

The Branksome company has been owned and run by the Baggaley family since
it started in 1945. Ernest Baggaley had come from his home in Stoke to work
for Poole Pottery in 1936 and
remained there until the end of the Second World War.

The Branksome factory, originally at Surrey Road, Bournemouth, moved
to nearby Westbourne in 1957 following financial difficulties brought on
by enlargement, and then again in 1966 to their present home in Fordingbridge, Hampshire.

In the early days Branksome were very successful with their hard-wearing
china ranges which they styled Felspathic Fine China. A particularly
popular design was Graceline, a range of twin-tone pastel tableware
made in sixteen colourways. Graceline is now much sought-after by Branksome
collectors and 1950s enthusiasts. The Branksome animal figures, introduced
in the 1950s are also widely collected.

In recent years staff has been kept to a minimum - a tenth of the number
employed in the 1940s and 50s - but the wares are still hand painted and
finished. Underglaze oxide colours are brushed on before application of
a clear glaze and firing in a large capacity electric kiln.

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